Commonwealth Games England President Denise Lewis has been awarded a damehood for services to sport alongside former Commonwealth Chair Ian Metcalfe, who was recognised with an OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours List.  

Commonwealth and Olympic champion heptathlete Denise began her athletics career with Birchfield Harriers in Birmingham and is now regarded as one of England’s greatest-ever sportswomen. She is a huge advocate for the importance of the Commonwealth Games in an athlete’s career path, having won two Commonwealth gold medals and going on to win gold at the 2000 Olympic Games. 

Lewis became President of Commonwealth Games England in 2015 and led Team England at the Gold Coast in 2018. In 2022, she led Team England again as the Games returned to her home of the West Midlands. Denise recently extended her role heading towards the Victoria 2026 Games, using her influential experience to inspire the next generation of athletes. 

Alongside Denise, Ian Metcalfe, former Chair of Commonwealth Games England, was recognised with an OBE for efforts in making the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham such a success.  

At Birmingham 2022, Ian was one of Commonwealth Games England’s two appointees to the Organising Committee Board and appointee to the Games Strategic Board, chaired by the Minister for Sport. 

As Chair of Commonwealth Games England, Ian oversaw the Gold Coast 2016 and Birmingham 2022 Games cycles and was a critical supporter of England as a host city, culminating in a successful Games in Birmingham. Team England secured their most successful Games ever on home soil last summer with Ian at the helm.  

Former Team England athletes who were also acknowledged with an MBE include Team England netball star Jade Clarke who was awarded for services to netball and 2014 Commonwealth champion Lizzie Deignan for services to Cycling.  

A number of those involved in organising last years’ Commonwealth Games have also been recognised after a memorable summer at Birmingham 2022, including a knighthood for Birmingham 2022 Chair, John Crabtree and CBE for CEO Ian Reid.  

 

New Year Honours:  

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire: 

Denise Lewis – President of Commonwealth Games England – For services to sport 

Knight Bachelor: 

John Crabtree – Chair, Organising Committee, 2022 Commonwealth Games 

 

Commander of the British Empire: 

Ian Reid - Chief Executive Officer, Organising Committee, 2022 Commonwealth Games 

Dean Creamer – Director, Commonwealth Games and Blythe House Programme, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 

 

Order of the British Empire: 

Ian Metcalfe – Former Chair, Commonwealth Games England - For services to Sport 

Philip Batty - Director of Ceremonies, Cultural Programmes and Queen's Baton Relay, 2022 Commonwealth Games. For services to Sport and to Culture 

Benjamin Woods - Head of Capital Projects, Commonwealth Games 


Member of the Order of the British Empire: 

Christopher Jones - Lately Project Director, Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. For services to Sport and to the community in the West Midlands 

Jade Clarke - England and Leeds Rhinos netballer, for services to netball 

Lizzie Deignan - English professional road racing cyclist, for services to Cycling 


Medal of the Order of the British Empire:

Sarah Coffey - Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 

Shah Begum - Lately Outreach and Impacts Manager, Commonwealth Games Legacy Team 


The full list of New Year Honours can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/...